A very interesting and readable account of the Henriad (Richard II, I&II Henry IV, Henry V), accessible to non-academic readers with an interest possibly piqued by the BBC's Hollow Crown series. The Henriad is treated very much as a historical rather than political set of plays, acting out the 'original sin' of Richard's deposition. While it is good to read this view of the history plays, I would have liked the author to at least acknowledge the other main interpretations out there. Nevertheless highly recommended.
Having been prompted through "email" how I would "rate Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare", I think it my duty, as a respectable citizen at the turn of the century, to accede.
'Julius Caesar' is an unsophisticated and rather politically naive account of the assassination of Julius Caesar. Mr Shakespeare seems incapable of sticking to what he knows best, and has never managed to recapture the emotional and poetical heights of his masterpiece trilogy Henry VI. His later English history plays have been almost universally disappointing, with the debacle surrounding Henry V and the cavalier treatment of Falstaff ensuring that they will be swiftly forgotten by both the theatre-going… Read more
My love, she is an Amber Medium That slips within my fingers' warm caress And flows so smooth, that halting tedium Were by this rendered fairly in redress. Too soft! Some say, for woman's hand to find, Too palely light, too gender'd or too thin, But know they not, that prattle in this kind, The joy this slender box doth grasp therein. Thou wert not made for men's eyes, noble BIC! Thy form and softly sheen are for mine own. O never be it said thou art a trick Of basest marketers and pranksters sown. Thus glitt'ring from the Amber shines the lamp, on Beauty's fairest form - belike, a tampon.
